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Elaine Tweedy, M. Photog
               (570) 575-1705

Oh Those Expressive Eyes

1/25/2019

9 Comments

 
I do believe that the eyes of animals are much more expressive than us humans.  While the eyes may be the windows to the soul, humans have learned to hide their feelings and manipulate their expressions to suit the circumstances.

Dogs, on the other hand, really hide nothing.
Picture
I had to throw this green grass photo in here, because right now we are covered in snow which is covered in ice, thanks to the rain we had today.  I am thinking about dragging my ice skates from the attic just to go to my car.

Yes, that's Lilah, above, as happy as a dog could be rolling in the grass.  I think once the grass comes back, I will try doing the same.

As a photographer, I am always focused on a pet's eyes.  They tell me a lot about how that pet is feeling at the moment.  I usually let pets get comfortable around me before taking any photos of them.  After years of watching, not just the eyes of my own dogs, but also the eyes of my clients' pets, I have a good handle on when it is safe to begin to photograph and get the best expression we can.
Picture
Before you read the next paragraph, what do you think Lilah's eyes are telling you here?
GIVING
YOU
TIME
TO
THINK

Answer:  She is a little nervous thinking way ahead of the game to the treat she will get once we are done with the photographs in the studio. She is actually looking toward where I keep the treats in a drawer in the studio.

I do think that Lilah, and our dog, Danny, have the most expressive eyes of all of our dogs.  Our dog, Moe, has the most expressive nose, and can imitate Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha on Bewitched) really well.

Of course the optimum photo is to have the subject look right into the camera with a very relaxed expression, just like Floyd did for the photo  below.
Picture
When lighting dogs, you have to be careful how the lighting will reflect off of their eyes, as the structure is different than ours, and it is easy to have too much light reflecting through them.

And what about CATS you ask?  Well, that's a whole other blog post.

To see more expressive pets, the blog circle today is all about EYES!  Forge ahead and have a LOOK!  Start here with Colleen of Simply Col Photography - for the love of photography and pound pups.  Have a great weekend!
9 Comments
Kim Hollis link
1/25/2019 06:33:10 am

As a mom of labs, I LOVE Floyd!!

Reply
Angela link
1/25/2019 10:40:01 am

Floyd looks like a lovebug!

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Colleen link
1/25/2019 11:06:20 am

I really like your point that a dogs eyes reflect their truth... so very true! I also love the green, green grass. :) Lilah and Danny are beautiful!

Reply
Linda Perdue link
1/25/2019 02:34:04 pm

Nice photos - I actually thought your dog looked a little nervous like perhaps a noise of some sort just happened (and I don't mean those funny noises we make to get the photograph). Almost a startled look. I love the black dog - very nicely done!

Reply
Danyel Rogers
1/25/2019 02:57:43 pm

Lilah is so cute in that first image. You need to replicate it again once your not a frozen popsicle. :)

Reply
Lynda Mowat
1/26/2019 11:21:51 pm

Beautiful Lilah, and stunning Floyd. Love the black on black with Floyd.

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Jo Lyons link
1/27/2019 01:32:03 am

Wow you've captured Floyd perfectly there... what a handsome pooch!

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Darlene link
1/27/2019 08:07:32 am

So true that dogs rarely hide a thing! Always love seeing Lilah - she looked a little bit "unsure". She looks so happy rolling in the grass, though! Beautiful image of Floyd!

Reply
Tracy Allard link
1/27/2019 09:42:06 am

I love Lilah on white, it's such a clean, bright look an terrific job lighting Floyd - that image is gorgeous!

Reply

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